Shell and tube oxidation reactor with improved resistance to fouling
AssigneeArkema Inc.
InventorsMichael S. DeCourcy, John L. Steinbach, Nicolas Dupont, Roger L. Roundy
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a single shell open interstage reactor (“SSOI”). The SSOI comprises a first reaction stage, an interstage heat exchanger, an open interstage region, and a second reaction stage. The SSOI may be configured for upflow or downflow operation. Further, the open interstage region of the SSOI may comprise a supplemental oxidant feed. When the open interstage region comprises a supplemental oxidant feed, the SSOI may further comprise a supplemental oxidant mixing assembly. Processes for producing acrylic acid through the oxidation of propylene are also disclosed.
Claims28
A process of making acrylic acid comprising the following steps in process flow order:
- a) providing a mixed feed gas comprising propylene to a first reaction stage of a single shell open interstage shell and tube reactor comprising a plurality of reaction tubes, wherein the first reaction stage comprises a mixed metal oxide catalyst for oxidizing propylene to acrolein;
- b) oxidizing the propylene in the first reaction stage to produce a process gas comprising acrolein;
- c) cooling the process gas in an interstage heat exchanger disposed between the first reaction stage and a second reaction stage;
- d) passing the cooled process gas through an open interstage region;
- e) passing the process gas to a second shell and tube reaction stage comprising a plurality of reaction tubes, wherein the second reaction stage comprises a mixed metal oxide catalyst for oxidizing acrolein to acrylic acid;
- and
- f) oxidizing the acrolein in the second reaction stage to produce a product gas comprising acrylic acid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.